Hsinchu City Glass Museum

The Hsinchu Glass Museum is the first museum in Taiwan to center around the theme of glass. The museum building, which was reconstructed in 1936, was first used as a residence for Japanese royals and government officials. The museum has several areas devoted to glass exhibits and some educational areas for kids.

Around the back of the building, next to a small lake is a cafe which offers light snacks such as the very Taiwanese green tea waffles with red bean ice-cream. They also offer DIY glass projects for kids on a bench overlooking the lake under the shade of a tree.

For $130 each, our little ones came away very satisfied with a picture made from glass pebbles on a small wooden noticeboard.

At the time we visited, glass blowing demonstrations were conducted  from 2pm-4pm in the adjacent building.

Miniature glass art pieces are made in the same area and can be purchased for less than $100 at stalls outside the museum. And if you’re going, don’t forget to visit the Hsinchu zoo, which is right next door and only $10 for adults!